Roof ventilator



R. L. LEIGH ROOF VENTILATOR Feb. 17, 1953 Filed July 24, 1960 2 SHEETS'-SHEET 1 INV'EN TOR.

m w 1 M 2 a i mm I p i I a l w i Feb. 17, 1953 Flled July 24 1950 Patented F eb. 17, 1953 ROOF VENTILATOR Robert L. Leigh, Coopersville, Mich., assignor to Air Control Products, Inc., Coopersville, Mich.

Application July 24, 1950, Serial No. 175,548

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a roof ventilator.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a roof ventilator which is highly eflicient and at the same time is effective in preventing the entrance of water and snow to the space ventilated through the vent of the ventilator and largely eliminating indrafts.

Second, to provide a roof ventilator in which the wind from different directions tends to cause a suction or siphoning eifect in the ventilator vent rather than to induc an inward current.

Third, to provide a roof ventilator which is of large ventilating capacity in proportion to its size.

Fourth, to provide a roof ventilator having these advantages which is economical in its parts and assembly and is watertight.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line ll of Fig. 2 showing the ventilator in installed position.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top perspective view with portions broken away.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of a modified form or embodiment of my invention taken on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the modified form shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in transverse section of said modified form.-

In the accompanying drawing i represents roof boards and 2 shingles. The roof is provided with an opening 3 over which the ventilator is installed. The embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a plate-like base member 4 constituting a flashing and having a vent opening 5 therein surrounded by an annular upstanding flange 6, this flange being drawn from the base member. The vent opening 5 is located so that portions of the base member project in all directions therefrom. The annular baflle 1 is sleeved upon or embraces the flange 6 and is integrally connected thereto desirably by spot welds as indicated at 8. This baflie preferably has an outturned annular flange 9 at its upper end In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, I provide a hood consisting of the top I having downturned side flanges l I. The front end of the top is curved downwardly at [2 and extends below the plane of the top of the baffle. Hood side members l3 are disposed on the inner sides of the flanges i I and fixedly secured thereto desirably by welds as indicated at I l. The lower edge portions l of these hood side members are substantially spaced from the base but extend below the top of the baffle member. These side members have downward extending rear portions l6 which constitute supporting bracketsterminating in outturned flanges l1 welded to the base member at l8. The top It extends downwardly at l9 and terminates in a flange which is welded to the base plate at 2|. Struts or supporting brackets 22 are secured to the inner sides of the sides I3 of the hood and to the base plate as indicated at 23 and 24.

An annular screen.25 is disposed within the ballie member to close the space between the baflle and the hood. The main purpose of this screen is to prevent insects entering the ventilated space through the ventilator. The screen is desirably secured by the fastenings or spot welding at 25 and being arranged within the baflie is effectively supported. With this arrangement wind or drafts of air from the front or sides and to a very considerable extent from the rear or from various angular relations tend to promote a suction or draft through the vent as it flows over the baille.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the hood 21 is a one-piece stamping and it is provided with a downturned front 28, depending sides 29 and bracket portions 30 and rear flanges 3| which are attached tothe base plate substantially as in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. The advantage of the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, is that there are fewer parts to assemble but the die equipment and material is presently somewhat more expensive than that required for the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive. It will be observed that it is not necessary to have watertight Joints between the hood and the base plate as water entering around the baffle i effectively excluded by the bafile. The outturned flange 9 on the baflle prevents water being carried into the baiile even under severe weather conditions.

The embodiments of my invention illustrated are highly efficient in that they are efiective in inducing draft currents through the vent under various conditions of wind direction and other weather conditions and backdrafts or inflow currents are very unlikely to occur.

I have illustrated and described my invention in two highly practical embodiments thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A roof ventilator comprising a plate-like base member having a vent opening spaced from its edges and an integrally formed upwardly projecting continuous annular flange surrounding the opening, an annular baflle member embracing and integrally associated with said flange, a hood comprising a top disposed in overhanging spaced relation to said baiiie member and having a downwardly curved front end spaced from the baiile member and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined rear end terminating in an attaching flange fixedly secured to said base member, said top member having downturned flanges on its side edges, side members disposed within and fixedly secured to the side flanges on said top member, the side members being laterally spaced from the baffie and the lower edges of the portions of the side members at the sides of the baflle being spaced from the base member, the side members having attaching extensions at their rear ends provided with flanges secured to the base member, the base member extending beyond the hood at the sides, rear and front thereof, and supporting brackets for said hood carried by said base members and secured to the hood side members adjacent their front ends.

2. A roof ventilator comprising a plate-like base member having a vent opening spaced from its edges and an integrally formed upwardly projecting continuous annular flange surrounding the opening, an annular bailie member embracing and integrally associated with said flange, a hood comprising a top disposed in overhanging spaced relation to said baiile member and having a downwardly curved front end spaced from the bafile member and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined rear end terminating in an attaching flange fixedly secured to said base member, said top member having downturned flanges on its side edges, side members disposed within and fixedly secured to the side flanges on said top member, the side members being laterally spaced from the bailie and the lower edges of the portions of the side members at the sides of the baftle being spaced from the base member, the base member extendin beyond the hood at the sides, rear and front thereof.

3. A roof ventilator comprising a plate-like base member having a vent opening spaced from its edges and an integrally formed upwardly projecting continuous annular flange surrounding the opening, an annular baille member embracing and integrally associated with said flange and provided with an outturned rim of substantial width at its upper end, and a hood comprising a top disposed in overhanging spaced relation to said bafiie member and having a downwardly curved front end spaced from the baffle member and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined rear end terminating in an attaching flange fixedly secured to said base member, said top member having downturned flanges on its side edges, side members disposed within and fixedly secured to the side flanges on said top member, the side members being laterally spaced from the baiile and the lower edges of the portions of the side members at the sides of the baffle being spaced from the base member, the base member extending beyond the hood at the sides, rear and front thereof.

4. A roof ventilator comprising a base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its edges and an upwardly projecting continuous annular flange surrounding the opening, an annular bafile member mounted on said flange and provided with an integral outturned rim of substantial width at its upper end, and a hood comprising a top disposed in overhanging spaced relation to said baiile member and having a downturned front end spaced from the bafile member and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined rear end secured to said base member in spaced relation to said baiile, said top member having downturned flanges on its side edges, side members laterally spaced from the baffle and disposed within and fixedly secured to the side flanges of said top member, the lower edges of the portions of the side members at the sides of the baffle being spaced from the base member, the side members being secured to the base members at their rear ends, and supporting brackets for said hood carried by said base members and secured to the hood side members adjacent their front ends.

5. A roof ventilator comprising a base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its edges and an upwardly projecting flange surrounding the opening, a bafile member mounted on said flange, and a hood comprising a top disposed in overhanging spaced relation to said baifle member and having a downturned front end laterally spaced from the baflle member and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined rear and secured to said base member in spaced relation to said baffle, said top member having downturned flanges on its side edges, side members laterally spaced from the bafile and disposed within and fixedly secured to the side flanges of said top member, the lower edges of the portions of the side members at the sides of the baffle being vertically spaced from the base member to provide side openings to the hood, said top downturned front end being vertically spaced from the base member to provide a front opening to the hood.

.6. A roof ventilator comprising a base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its edges and an upwardly projecting flange surrounding the opening, a baiile member mounted on said flange, a hood comprising a top disposed in overhanging spaced relation to said baiile member and having a downturned front end spaced from the baffle member and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined rear end secured to said base member in spaced relation to said bafile, said top member having downturned flanges on its side edges, side members laterally spaced from the bafile and disposed within and fixedly secured to the side flanges of said top member, the lower edges of the portions or? the side members at the sides of the bafile bci vertically spaced from the base member to provide side openings to the hood, said top downturned front end being vertically spaced from h base member to provide a front opening to the hood, and a screen for the space between the bafiie member and the hood top.

7. A roof ventilator comprising a plate-like base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its edges and an integral upwardly projecting flange surrounding the opening, a baille member closely embracing and fixedly secured to said flange and provided at its upper end with an annular outturned deflector rim, a hood disposed in overhanging relation to said bailie member and comprising a top and front, side and rear walls, the rear wall being extended downwardly to and secured to the base member, the side walls having integral downwardly extending bracket portions at their rear ends secured to the base member and to the downwardly extending rear wall and constituting bracing elements therefor, the top of the hood being vertically spaced upwardly from the bafile mem ber and its front, rear and side walls being laterally spaced from the baiile member, the lower edges of the front and side walls being vertically spaced from the base member permitting direct flow of streams of air between the front and side walls and the base member in approximately the plane of the roof on which the ventilator is installed, the front edges of the said side wall bracket members being at the rear of the bailic member facilitating such flow of air, and a screen arranged within and projecting from said baiile member to screen the space between the rim and the bafiie member and the top of the hood.

8. A roof ventilator comprising a plate-like base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its edges and an integral upwardly projecting flange surrounding the opening, a baflie member closely embracing and fixedly secured to said flange, and a hood disposed in overhanging relation to said baille member and comprising a top and front, side and rear walls, the rear wall being extended downwardly to and secured to the base member, the side walls having integral downwardly extending bracket I portions at their rear ends secured to the base member in approximately the plane of the roof on which the ventilator is installed, the front edges of the said side wall bracket members being at the rear of the baffle member facilitating such flow of air.

9. A roof ventilator comprising a plate-like base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its edges, an annular baiile member surrounding said opening and provided at its upper end with an annular outturned deflector rim, and a hood disposed in over hanging relation to said baflie member and comprising a top and front, side and rear walls, the rear wall being extended downwardly to and secured to the base member, the side walls having integral downwardly extending bracket portions at their rear ends secured to the base member and to the downwardly extending rear wall and constituting bracing elements therefor, the top of the hood being vertically spaced upwardly from the baiile member and its front, rear and side walls being laterally spaced from the baffle member, the lower edges of the front and side walls being vertically spaced from the base member permitting direct flow of streams of air between the front and side walls and the base in approxi- 6 mately the plane of the roof on which the ventilator is installed.

10. A roof ventilator comprising a plate-like base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its edges, an annular bafile member surrounding said opening, and a hood disposed in overhanging relation to said baiile member and comprising a top and front, side and rear walls, the rear wall being extended downwardly to and secured to the base member, the side walls having integral downwardly extending bracket portions at their rear ends secured to the base member and to the downwardly extending rear Wall and constituting bracing elements therefor, the top of the hood being vertically spaced upwardly from the baffle member and its front, rear and side walls being laterally spaced from the baflie member, the lower edges of the front and side walls being vertically spaced from the base member permitting direct flow of streams of air between the front and side walls and the base in approximately the plane of the roof on which the ventilator is installed.

11. A roof ventilator comprising a plate-like base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its edges, an annular bafiie member surrounding said opening and provided at its upper end with an annular outturned deflector rim, and a hood disposed in overhanging relation to said baflie member and comprising a top and front, side and rear walls, the rear wall being extended downwardly to and secured to the base member, the top of the hood being vertically spaced from the bafile member and it front, rear and side walls being laterally spaced from the baffle member, the lower edges of the front and side walls being vertically spaced from the base member permitting direct flow of streams of air between the front and side walls and the base in approximately the plane of the roof on which the ventilator is installed.

12. A roof ventilator comprising a plate-like base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its edges, an annular baffle member surrounding said opening, and a hood disposed in overhanging relation to said baflle member and comprising a top and front, side and rear walls, the rear wall being extended downwardly to and secured to the base member. the top of the hood being vertically spaced from the bafile member and its front, rear and side walls being laterally spaced from the baffle member, the lower edges of the front and side walls being vertically spaced from the base member permitting direct flow of streams of air between the front and side walls and the base in approximately the plane of the roof on which the ventilator is installed.

13. A roof ventilator comprising a flat base member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced inwardly from its edges, an annular baflie member surrounding said opening and constituting an integral part of said base member in sealed relation thereto, and a hood comprising a top portion disposed in vertically spaced overhanging relation to said bafile member and having depending front, rear and side portions laterally spaced from the baflie member, the lower edges of the front and side portions being below the upper end of the baflle member and vertically spaced above said base member providing air circulating space for the flow of air under the hood and around and across the top of the baiile member in substantially the plane of the roof on which the ventilator i installed, the

wears;

7 rear portion ot -the hood being extended to and secured to said base member.

14. 'A roof ventilator comprising 'a flat platelikc base .member constituting a flashing and having a vent opening spaced from its'edges'an d an integral upwardly projecting flange-surroundingthe opening, a. baflle member closely embracing and secured tosaidflange and provided at its upper end \vithan annular outturned deflector rim, and a hood overhanging said baffle member with its top vertically spaced therefrom and having depending front, rear-and side walls laterally spaced from said bafiie member with their lower edges in aplane below said rim, thefront and-side walls being vertically spaced fromsaid base member providing front, rear and side openings between thebase memberand'said'front and side walls vfor the :direct circulation 'of air theret-hroughand'around said baffle member.

ROBERT L. LEIGH.

8 REFERENCES CIT-ED The following referenoes are 0! record in'th'e file of'this' patentz UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date v 1378;669 Fisk- -1 Feb.'28, 1888 778,204: Porter Dec. 20, 1904 1,944,321 Hu-xter Jan. 23, 1934 2,490,220 Leslie r Dec. 6, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 440,225 Great'Britain Dec. 23. 1935 

